DCL Europe Summer 2022 approaching - what are you doing?

[emilymad]

I know there have been some cruise lines sailing in Europe. MSC comes to mind. Do you know how they manage all the different requirements when they are sailing to multiple countries?

I would check out Cruise Critic. I have tried to read on the different cruise line forums. It seems that different cruise lines handle even going to the same country differently from my very limited research.

 

[pjacobi]

List of possible extra expenses when traveling internationally:

Traveling internationally? Brace yourself for hundreds of extra dollars and hours of stress - CNET

 

[LovesBelle]

We canceled our Med cruise for the third time, but still hoping to do it one day. For now, we are planning on domestic travel. We just don’t have the extra vacation days to burn if we had to quarantine. Domestic travel removes that threat (as of now, anyway).

 

[insureman]

Doing the WBTA in September and still on the fence about that one.

 

[DCLMP]

Doing the WBTA in September and still on the fence about that one.

That seems like a good option. You won’t have to test to fly home.

 

[insureman]

That seems like a good option. You won’t have to test to fly home.

Exactly

 

[bwmjam]

Where did you buy your insurance?

We have USAA which offers great Travel Insurance through Travel Insured.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

That is because you were lucky and tested negative!

If you tested positive, it would have been many thousand dollars spent is quarantine hotels, medical expenses and lost work. Maybe insurance would cover some of this expense, but nothing would make up time and suffering.

-Paul

Yes, insurance that covers the costs should you receive a positive test is a must!
Suffering is a bit extreme though; you would still be in a hotel in Europe. Also, we're a family of teachers, so we have extra weeks as buffer before it would conflict with work.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

We have planned a National parks trip for next summer. We will get to Iceland some day!

I'd suggest Iceland by land if you can. It's AMAZING, and much of it you don't see/can't get to on DCL itineraries. It's a pretty easy place to travel as an English speaker, even during current circumstances. Loved it more then I ever expected to.

 

[DisneYE]

Was just reading this morning that the CDC added France to destinations it recommends NOT traveling to right now.
Europe is in a full blown 4th (or is it 5th?) wave.

They just started a policy where if you test positive upon entry to France they send you to government sanctioned hotels to do quarantine... Imagine disembarking at a POC in France, you get a false positive, or anyone in your party, and then you're yanked from the ship and off you go to "hotel quarantine". Scary scenario.
I really hope this improves by March but I don't see how.

 

[DCLMP]

Was just reading this morning that the CDC added France to destinations it recommends NOT traveling to right now.
Europe is in a full blown 4th (or is it 5th?) wave.

They just started a policy where if you test positive upon entry to France they send you to government sanctioned hotels to do quarantine... Imagine disembarking at a POC in France, you get a false positive, or anyone in your party, and then you're yanked from the ship and off you go to "hotel quarantine". Scary scenario.
I really hope this improves by March but I don't see how.

I wonder if "hotel quarantine" has barbwire around it like the ones in Australia. It does make me appreciate where I live. It may be time to start thinking about a plan B or C for next Summer.

 

[tink1970]

I just cancelled our Viking Venice to Athens cruise for April. A vacation is supposed to be relaxing to me and right now neither cruises nor international flights (and requirements for entry) sound like they are. We have another Viking cruise around the British Isles and I'm giving it another couple of months but suspect that will be the same situation. Fortunately the US is a big country with lots to explore.

 

[DCLMP]

I just got an email from DCL telling me to get excited about our upcoming Northern European cruise. They must know people are having some trepidation.

I just read on TPG if flying into London you have to get a Covid test on day 2 in London and quarantine until you get a negative test result. It didn’t say anything about what happens if you test positive. I’m afraid to find out.

 

[DisneYE]

I just got an email from DCL telling me to get excited about our upcoming Northern European cruise. They must know people are having some trepidation.

I just read on TPG if flying into London you have to get a Covid test on day 2 in London and quarantine until you get a negative test result. It didn’t say anything about what happens if you test positive. I’m afraid to find out.

SMH...Things aren't going in the right direction.
Vaccines don't seem to be the magic bullet that was going to get us out of this mess.
A road trip in America is looking more and more tempting for us in the Summer of 2022.

 

[DCLMP]

SMH...Things aren't going in the right direction.
Vaccines don't seem to be the magic bullet that was going to get us out of this mess.
A road trip in America is looking more and more tempting for us in the Summer of 2022.

I have a lot of thoughts on this mess, but I won't go there. Since my son ages out of the Vibe in the Fall. We will still cruise it just may be on the Fantasy in September. I won't pay Summer prices for the Caribbean.

 

[Freya424]

We recently canceled our June Greek isles cruise. Too many variables still. I found myself more stressed than excited about planning the trip. Decided not to put all that money into something that still might be cancelled or drastically changed, or run the risk that we might end up stranded along the way if someone failed a covid test.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I just got an email from DCL telling me to get excited about our upcoming Northern European cruise. They must know people are having some trepidation.

I just read on TPG if flying into London you have to get a Covid test on day 2 in London and quarantine until you get a negative test result. It didn’t say anything about what happens if you test positive. I’m afraid to find out.

We recently canceled our June Greek isles cruise. Too many variables still. I found myself more stressed than excited about planning the trip. Decided not to put all that money into something that still might be cancelled or drastically changed, or run the risk that we might end up stranded along the way if someone failed a covid test.

I got that same email. I am not even close to being excited. Just more heartbroken that for the third time we are unable to go. This virus is just... Cancelling soon. I want my $$ back, Cruising is just out of the question right now. I don't have the stomach for it.

And the $$$ for this once in a lifetime cruise? Too big of a risk for us.

Heartbreaking

 

[BadPinkTink]

I just read on TPG if flying into London you have to get a Covid test on day 2 in London and quarantine until you get a negative test result. It didn’t say anything about what happens if you test positive. I’m afraid to find out.

This new requirement started on November 30 for entry to The UK

Before Arrival To The UK

Part 1 Test Before Arrival
From 4am, Tuesday 7 December all people aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or LFD COVID-19 test before they travel to England from abroad.

You must take the test within the 2 days before you travel to England.

This will apply whether you qualify as fully vaccinated or not.

For none EU residents and citizens you must provide the original test result notification. Your test result must be in either English, French or Spanish. Translations will not be accepted.

Your test result can be provided as:
* a printed document
* an email or text message you can show on your phone - make sure your device is charged

It must include the following information:

1. your name, which should match the name on your travel documents
2. your date of birth or age
3. the result of the test
4. the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
5. the name of the test provider and their contact details
6. confirmation of the device used for the test, or that the test was a PCR test

Part 2 Passenger Locator Form

You must complete a passenger locator form online before you arrive in the UK.

You must submit your form before you travel. You’ll need to show your form when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry to the UK.

You can submit the form any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK.

To complete the form you will need:

1. your passport details or the travel document you’ll use when you arrive at the UK border
2. your travel details, including times and dates
3. the address where you will stay in the UK (if applicable)
4. booking reference numbers for any COVID-19 tests you must take after arriving in the UK
5. the invoice number for your quarantine hotel booking if you need one
6. to say whether you are vaccinated and where you were vaccinated

If you’re visiting or returning to the UK on a cruise that lasts 19 days or less, submit the form in the 48 hours before boarding.

This means that you will need to complete 2 Passenger Locator forms. The first one applies to your journey from your home country to the UK. The second one applies to returning to The UK after the cruise.

Before you complete the passenger locator form you will need to book any tests you need to take after you arrive in the UK.

After Arrival In The UK

All travelers entering the UK will now have to take a PCR test within two days of entering the country and will have to self-isolate until a negative test is returned.

All those who have been in contact with a person who tests positive for the Omicron variant will have to self-isolate regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated.

You will need to book this PCR test before you arrive into The UK as you will need the confirmation number for the Passenger Locator form.

The UK Government have provided official information about how to find a test provider in The UK

 

[DCLMP]

This new requirement started on November 30 for entry to The UK

Before Arrival To The UK

Part 1 Test Before Arrival
From 4am, Tuesday 7 December all people aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or LFD COVID-19 test before they travel to England from abroad.

You must take the test within the 2 days before you travel to England.

This will apply whether you qualify as fully vaccinated or not.

For none EU residents and citizens you must provide the original test result notification. Your test result must be in either English, French or Spanish. Translations will not be accepted.

Your test result can be provided as:
* a printed document
* an email or text message you can show on your phone - make sure your device is charged

It must include the following information:

1. your name, which should match the name on your travel documents
2. your date of birth or age
3. the result of the test
4. the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
5. the name of the test provider and their contact details
6. confirmation of the device used for the test, or that the test was a PCR test

Part 2 Passenger Locator Form

You must complete a passenger locator form online before you arrive in the UK.

You must submit your form before you travel. You’ll need to show your form when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry to the UK.

You can submit the form any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK.

To complete the form you will need:

1. your passport details or the travel document you’ll use when you arrive at the UK border
2. your travel details, including times and dates
3. the address where you will stay in the UK (if applicable)
4. booking reference numbers for any COVID-19 tests you must take after arriving in the UK
5. the invoice number for your quarantine hotel booking if you need one
6. to say whether you are vaccinated and where you were vaccinated

If you’re visiting or returning to the UK on a cruise that lasts 19 days or less, submit the form in the 48 hours before boarding.

This means that you will need to complete 2 Passenger Locator forms. The first one applies to your journey from your home country to the UK. The second one applies to returning to The UK after the cruise.

Before you complete the passenger locator form you will need to book any tests you need to take after you arrive in the UK.

After Arrival In The UK

All travelers entering the UK will now have to take a PCR test within two days of entering the country and will have to self-isolate until a negative test is returned.

All those who have been in contact with a person who tests positive for the Omicron variant will have to self-isolate regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated.

You will need to book this PCR test before you arrive into The UK as you will need the confirmation number for the Passenger Locator form.

The UK Government have provided official information about how to find a test provider in The UK

I guess I read it wrong it's witin two days of arrival. Where exactly do you self isolate while waiting for results? I don't see the point. You've just been in a busy airport with thousands of people. You could spend two days sightseeing before getting tested. It seems like the policy is just to deter people from traveling to the country more than anything else.

Thanks for posting the full policy.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I guess I read it wrong it's witin two days of arrival. Where exactly do you self isolate while waiting for results? I don't see the point. You've just been in a busy airport with thousands of people. You could spend two days sightseeing before getting tested. It seems like the policy is just to deter people from traveling to the country more than anything else.

Thanks for posting the full policy.

You either self isolate at home if you are UK resident or at a hotel or other accommodation at your own expense. Most UK people have the same view as you, that to get to your home or other accommodation most people will use public transport and have been around large numbers of people before you get to the place where you will isolate until you get the negative test result. And yes this is mainly aimed at UK people returning from international travel, as right now huge amounts of UK people travelling out of the UK but not many people are travelling to the UK as tourists.